DC Books to Prisons is an all-volunteer group that sends about 15,000 books a year to prisoners who write letters requesting them. It also acts as a clearinghouse to put prisons in touch with large-scale book donors. There's a real sense of fulfillment in matching what prisoners say they want with the donated books on the shelves and then writing a personal note. One prisoner called his books "a spark in the dark." UMDC can ignite that spark.

Volunteers will fill requests together, learn the layout of the shelves, and how to read the prison mailroom restrictions codes on the envelopes. Volunteers can then pick their own request letters and work individually or in pairs to fill them. The organization is asking UMDC volunteers to bring sheets of stamps ($1 stamps are the most helpful).

If you can't attend, please consider donating on their website, www.dcbookstoprisoners.org. This volunteer opportunity is not suitable for young children.

If you have any questions, please contact Charmaine Chan at chancsk@gmail.com.